Burnholme Community College has been shortlisted for the Rolls-Royce Science Prize after putting forward a proposal to show how science can be exciting and challenging to other pupils by highlighting the relevance of science research in everyday life. The college has been awarded a £1,000 Special Merit Award for being shortlisted.
The Rolls-Royce Science Prize is part of the company’s ongoing drive to promote science and engineering in schools by encouraging and rewarding inspirational science teaching. Each year, the company awards a total of £120,000 in cash prizes to schools in the UK that enter through the Science Learning Centre Network.
Over 2,000 schools enter the competition each year. Burnholme Community College will find out in July if it is one of nine finalists. If in the final nine, the team will receive a further £5,000 to help implement its proposal. They would then be competing for the main prize of £15,000 and a day with the Red Arrows display team.
Helen Bishop, Rolls-Royce Head of Community Investment, said: “Rolls-Royce is very active in trying to inspire young people into learning about science and technology and the career opportunities studying these subjects bring. The Rolls-Royce Science Prize aims to do this by supporting teachers as they show how exciting and fascinating these subjects can be. Burnholme Community College has risen to the challenge of the prize and has put forward an excellent proposal. I wish them the very best in the competition.”
Mr Simon Gumn, Headteacher, said "As a former engineer and science teacher, this is an outstanding achievement. To be awarded a Special Merit is an honour and I look forward to the next round of the competition. The students have worked tirelessly for the award and they deserve success. A massive 'well done' to all concerned."
The national network of Science Learning Centres provide professional development for teachers of science at all levels. Any teachers that attend courses can enter their school into the Rolls-Royce Science Prize. Director of the National Science Learning Centre, Yvonne Baker, said: “Burnholme Community College has come up with an innovative idea to develop its staff to enhance science teaching. The Rolls-Royce Science Prize award will allow the teachers to take the knowledge they gained here and make a real difference in their college.”